Sharon Housing Partnership

February 10, 2009 Meeting Minutes- Approved March 10, 2009

In attendance: Susan Saunders, Alan Lury, Mary Tobin, Jane Desberg and Lou Modestino

Also attending: Gino Chitvanni and Joe Chitvanni RE: Johnson Drive

Approved Meeting Minutes from December 12-9-08

Johnson Drive

Joe Chitvanni presented information regarding the Johnson Drive property to the group. He explained that his brother, Gino, purchased the land in question from the Kendall family as part of a larger land deal.  Johnson Drive was created by the state when I-95 was built.  Johnson Drive is a Chapter 90 Road suitable for commercial developments.

The parcel that Mr. Chitvanni owns is approximately 30,000 square feet. Presently this land is zoned Rural-1 (60,000 sq. ft required for a single family home). Mr. Chitvanni has spent between 115K and 125K to date on legal fees and engineering costs toward having the county and the Town of Sharon approve a new layout for Johnson Drive that would ultimately result in the creation of another town owned parcel adjacent to the one he owns. This second parcel is approximately 30,000 sq. ft. The Chitvannis had originally hoped to acquire this adjacent parcel from the Town of Sharon at auction and then have the new ~60,000 sq. ft. lot rezoned as commercial.

The Chitvannis are interested in working with the SHP toward the potential development

of this site for affordable housing. They indicated that the land is buildable (<2 min/inch perk rate). They also indicated that the Town of Walpole has offered to supply water to the site.

When asked, Alan Lury indicated that it was likely that the Sharon BOS would support the development of this property for affordable housing as the Town is actively trying to achieve its 10% affordable housing quota.

If the entire parcel ~60,000 sq. ft were rezoned as commercial Gino Chitvanni estimated that it would be worth ~ $400K. He also indicated that he would be willing to wait a reasonable amount of time while the SHP researches its options.

The Planning Board will again sponsor a Town Meeting Article to change the layout of Johnson Drive at May Town Meeting.

Jane Desberg suggested that the next step would be for the SHP to meet with the BOS and to contact non-profit developers to determine what may be feasible for this site. 

SHP Annual Report

Alan Lury has completed and submitted the 2008 SHP report. Alan will send final report to members.

Lou Modestino

Lou Modestino presented the information he had gathered on two town owned sites that were potentially developable for affordable housing.

The first is an 8.99 acre site off Old Post Road. The technical address is 5 Pine Street. This property was taken by the Town for nonpayment of taxes in 1976. The land abuts I-95. Access to this property is a single roadway- 22’ in width, approx. 50’ long, between #3 and #11 Pine Street. Susan Saunders suggested that this is not an acceptable access. When contacted Peter O’Cain suggested that a cul-de-sac could be conceivably constructed. Presently this land is zoned Rural-1 (60,000 sq. ft. needed to build single family home). Under present zoning at most 2 homes could be constructed. Under a 40B LIP, 6-8 homes might be constructed. The group noted the problem with access between two existing homes. It was reported that Eli Hauser suggested that one of these adjacent properties was either in foreclosure or was abandoned.

The second site Lou Modestino researched was 235R Walomolopoag  Street. This is an 11.7 acre site that the selectmen acquired as one of three abutting parcels. Lou Modestino reported that there was a 1982 Conservation restriction on this property. Lou Modestino volunteered to contact Greg Meister to get clarification on this.  Access appeared uncertain but appeared to be doable through Foxfire Road. Peter O’Cain reported that this property was difficult to perk and was comprised of much rock ledge.

Sacred Heart Site

Jane Desberg reported that Susan Gettleman from B’nai B’rith met with the Sacred Heart Reuse committee on use of this site for affordable housing.  The SHRC is presently in the process of preparing an RFP. Warren Kirshenbaum will follow up on this matter with Ms. Gettleman.

Glenview Road

The court date for the eviction proceedings is February 12, 2009.

DHCD MHP Lottery Informational Meeting

Jane Desberg reported that both she and Warren Kirshenbaum attended. The DHCD has determined that local preference can only be for “those who live or work “in the Town not for relatives of residents. Advertisements in the local paper can, however, state that there is a local preference.

Wilber School

Work is proceeding.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:20 PM